Yangjiang & Hailing Island

Guangdong's fourth-largest island, with Dajiao Bay and Shili Silver Beach, the Song dynasty shipwreck Nanhai No. 1 displayed after being salvaged in one piece, and seafood at Zhapo fishing port.

Hailing Island lies in the sea south of Jiangcheng District, Yangjiang, Guangdong. It is Guangdong's fourth-largest island and is linked to the mainland by the Hailing Causeway, so you can drive straight onto it. Tourism is concentrated on the south coast: Dajiao Bay near Zhapo town is the core of the national 5A-rated scenic area (China's top tier), a crescent bay ringed by hills on three sides that is good for swimming and surfing. To the east are Shili Silver Beach and the Maritime Silk Road Museum of Guangdong, which preserves and displays the Southern Song shipwreck "Nanhai No. 1" in its entirety and is the island's most significant cultural sight. To the west are Zhapo National Central Fishing Port and its seafood market, the rocky coastline of Beiluo Secret Land and Mawei Island; in the northeast of the island is the Mangrove National Wetland Park. Off the island you can also visit Moon Bay at Shapa in Yangxi, Dongping's Da'ao fishing village in Yangdong, and Yuanyang Lake and the Confucian academy in downtown Yangjiang. The best time to visit is May–Oct, when the beaches are open; Jul–Sep is typhoon season, so watch for warnings—beaches and boat trips may be suspended; winters are mild, ideal for escaping the cold and eating seafood. Getting there: about 3.5 hours' drive from Guangzhou, or take a high-speed train to Yangjiang Station and transfer, about 1 hour to the island; buses on the island are limited, so driving or hiring a car is recommended. Allow 2–3 days: one for Dajiao Bay and the museum, and one for Zhapo fishing port, Beiluo Secret Land and Mawei Island. During summer holidays and public holidays hotel prices are high and traffic onto the island is heavy, so book ahead.

Top sights

Itineraries